Overthrowing Wei: Starting with Cao Cao's "I'd rather betray the world than surrender

Night quickly fell.

Torches were lit in Shangcai city, and the number of local militia patrolling the city walls was several times greater than during the day.

Although the daytime battle repelled the Yellow Turbans, no one could guarantee that the rebel army wouldn't come back at night.

The wind was strong on the city wall, and the torches swayed in the wind. The firelight illuminated the broken parapet and scattered stones, casting long shadows on everyone.

Not far outside the city, the volunteer cavalry had already set up camp. Hundreds of cavalrymen rested in groups around several campfires, some wiping their weapons, some feeding their horses, and others checking their horseshoes.

The camp was quiet; the soldiers spoke in hushed tones, yet their movements were precise and efficient. Rows of warhorses were tethered to wooden stakes, occasionally flicking their tails and spitting air.

Li Tong stood on the city wall and watched for a long time.

He had led many local militias over the years, but he rarely saw such a military formation.

The volunteer battalion wasn't large, but from entering the city to setting up camp, every step was clean and efficient, without the slightest chaos. Their composed demeanor was reassuring to behold.

He remained silent for a while, then turned and left the city.

Lu Dingzheng stood by the campfire outside the city gate. Xu Huang and several captains stood around him, seemingly discussing something. The firelight reflected off their armor, flickering in and out.

As Li Tong approached, he overheard Xu Huang whispering, "That gang of thieves to the north hasn't gone far. They were already in disarray during the day. If we chase them down tonight, we can probably kill at least a few hundred more."

Lu Ding shook his head.

"You can't chase after them."

Xu Huang was taken aback, clearly somewhat unwilling. "Why?"

Lu Ding poked the fire with a stick, sending sparks flying, before saying, "The Yellow Turbans are just scattered soldiers. They were defeated quickly today and fled in disarray. If we press them too hard, they will only scatter and the countryside will become even more chaotic. Holding Shangcai City is more important than killing a few hundred more people."

After listening, Xu Huang thought for a moment, nodded, and said no more.

At this moment, Li Tong approached, clasped his hands in greeting, and said, "Young Master."

Lu Ding turned around and saw him, his expression still calm. "How is the city?"

"The patrols are already in place, and the local militia have been divided into three shifts. If the bandits come again at night, things won't get chaotic." Li Tong paused, then added, "The city's food supplies can last for a few more days, but dragging this out is not a solution."

Lü Ding nodded without saying anything more.

A night wind blew in from outside the city, carrying a faint smell of blood. In the distance, the corpses of bandits who had died in battle that day lay indistinctly on the open ground. The campfire crackled, its light reflecting on everyone's faces.

Li Tong suddenly said, "Watching you break through the enemy lines from the city wall today, I now realize the true power of cavalry."

Lu Ding smiled and said, "It's just borrowing horses."

Li Tong shook his head: "Horsepower is only one part."

He spoke with great seriousness: "I've seen cavalry charge before, but few have pressed forward as systematically as the Yicong Battalion. Once the order is given, they move with unwavering discipline, their imposing presence suffocating. In contrast, the enemy army scatters as soon as they fall into disarray."

Lu Ding did not refute after hearing this, but only looked up at the city wall. The local militia on the city wall were still patrolling back and forth. Some were moving stones, some were dragging down the siege ladders that had been broken during the day, and some were squatting on the ground slowly picking up arrows.

The men were dressed in tattered clothes and their feet were covered in mud; they were clearly farmers who had just been summoned from the fields.

Li Tong followed his gaze and sighed. "These people are farmers by day. If it weren't for the bandit army besieging the city, they probably wouldn't even have touched a sword."

Lu Ding said, "But they held the city today."

Li Tong gave a wry smile. "That's because their home is right behind the city."

He paused, then said, "If a family has no way to survive, people may not be willing to stay."

The firelight flickered in the wind.

Lu Ding looked at him without saying a word.

Li Tong remained silent for a while, then suddenly said, "I only learned today that the young master's rent reduction of 30% is true."

Lu Ding did not respond, but simply threw the wooden stick in his hand into the fire.

Li Tong continued, "The tenant farmers in my village work hard all year round, and after paying 55% of the rent, they can't even feed their families with the leftover grain. If we only take 30%, the elderly and children can all have enough to eat."

He spoke in a calm tone, but his eyes held a complex expression.

Lü Ding simply said, "Only when Zhuangzi lives can people live."

Li Tong was stunned for a moment after hearing this, then couldn't help but laugh. "Only today do I understand."

The two remained silent for a while, and the sound of patrolling footsteps in the distance was particularly clear in the night.

After a long while, Li Tong suddenly stood up and solemnly clasped his hands in greeting.

"Young master."

Lü Ding looked up at him.

Li Tong said, "I guarded Shangcai only to protect the people of my hometown. But seeing your actions today, I suddenly feel that there may be another path in this chaotic world."

Lu Ding looked at him without saying a word.

Li Tong took a deep breath and said, "If you do not mind, young master, I am willing to serve you."

The campfire flickered gently.

Upon hearing this, Xu Huang couldn't help but look up.

Lü Ding did not immediately agree.

He was silent for a moment, then suddenly asked, "If you leave, who will guard Shangcai?"

Li Tong was stunned.

Lu Ding looked at the city wall. "This city has been able to hold out today because of you. If you leave, how long can these local militia hold out?"

Li Tong was speechless for a moment.

After a moment, he suddenly smiled. "The young master is right."

Lu Ding also smiled, "Let's defend the city first."

Li Tong nodded.

As night deepened, the campfire slowly died down. The footsteps of the patrolling soldiers on the city walls continued unabated, and the occasional neighing of warhorses could be heard from the distant open fields.

Just then, a cavalryman suddenly galloped in from the north and dismounted outside the camp.

"Young Master!"

Lü Ding looked up.

The cavalryman reported, "The scouts report that the enemy army has not gone far and has regrouped about ten miles away."

Xu Huang immediately stood up. "He really didn't go far."

Lu Ding did not rush to speak, but only glanced at the dark night in the north.

The distant mountains were faintly visible, and the night was deep.

After a while, he said, "Since it's still here, there's no rush."

Xu Huang was taken aback.

Lu Ding said slowly, "Wait until they are more fully gathered."

"Let's resolve this together."

A night breeze blew by.

In the depths of the night outside Shangcai City, faint flickering lights could be seen.

Lu Ding glanced at Li Tong and suddenly asked, "Are there any local militia members in Shangcai City willing to be stationed there on a regular basis?"

Li Tong thought for a moment and said, "Of course there are willing ones. It's just that the local soldiers are scattered in various villages, and they have to farm on weekdays, so it's difficult for them to gather often."

Lu Ding nodded. "Then select a batch."

He looked towards the city wall and slowly said, "Select two hundred men from the local militia to remain in the city as a regular force. Their provisions will be supplied by the city's granaries, rotating according to the farming season. They will guard the city during peacetime and train during leisure time. First, train a force of soldiers from Shangcai."

He paused for a moment, then said:

"If the militia needs to recruit more people in the future, they will be selected from here."

Upon hearing this, Li Tong's eyes lit up slightly.

Lu Ding continued, "Bring the person out."

"A city always needs someone to defend it."

Xu Huang laughed from the side: "Shangcai is only a hundred li away from Runan. If anything happens, our cavalry can arrive in a day."

A night breeze blew in from outside the city, and the firelight flickered gently.

Li Tong remained silent for a moment, then suddenly clasped his hands in a fist salute.

"If that's the case..."

"Li Tong then trained the soldiers for the young master."